Windshield wiper connector and assembly

ABSTRACT

Novel connectors and wiper blade assemblies including same for securing windshield wiper blades and arms are described, including those that accommodate side-saddle wiper arms. A wiper blade connector may have a mounting portion comprising a wiper blade securing element, the wiper securing element being capable of securing a wiper blade, and a side-saddle portion comprising two side walls, a top wall and a bottom surface, defining a receiving cavity, said top wall having a cantilever with a locking tab.

FIELD AND RELATED ART

This invention relates in general to windshield wipers, and moreparticularly, to an improved connector for a windshield wiper thatallows the windshield wiper to be attached to certain windshield wiperarm configurations in side saddle position. The invention is alsodirected to windshield wipers incorporating these novel connectors.

There are a variety of wiper arms on which wiper blades are provided asoriginal equipment. These various wiper arms have hooks, pins, or otherconfigurations which may connect to the wiper blade with or withoutconnectors. These various configurations have created a problem in thereplacement market because wiper blade providers are required to havemultiple wiper blade configurations to accommodate all of the existingwiper arms. It is therefore advantageous to have attachment structuresthat can accommodate a host of arms to reduce the complexity and costassociated with plurality of wiper blade arm configuration.

The need to attach replacement windshield wiper blades to multiple armshas been addressed to some degree. For example, windshield wiper bladeshave been designed to work with various hook-type wiper arms havingdifferent sizes. Connectors may also be configured to receive either apin-type arm, a hook-type arm and a variety of other arms, such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,380, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. Although these connectors may increase theusefulness of a given windshield wiper such that it can be used withdifferent wiper arm types, the connectors are often expensive and havecomplicated structures that are difficult and time-consuming tomanufacture.

Whereas many automobiles on the market have arms that attach to a wiperblade directly over the wiper strip (i.e., hooks that connect inside of,or pin arms where the pin enters into, a mounting base or otherconnecting device that is above the wiper strip), more recentautomobiles contain wiper arms that are designed to attach to the sideof a wiper blade. These wiper arms (sometimes referred to herein as“side-saddle wiper arms”) are generally provided on vehicles with aspecially designed wiper blade that is designed to connect only to thatspecific type of arm and require special mounting bases or connectorsdesigned to accommodate such an arm. When the wiper blade must bereplaced, the replacement must generally be done at a car dealership andrequires the purchase of an expensive replacement part. Moreover, thereare several versions of these wiper arms, some of which have varyinglengths, locking arms or spacers. Accordingly, an aftermarket providerthat offers windshield wipers that are not directed to a specific carmust evaluate whether to add a separate connector to accommodate eachparticular side saddle wiper arm. This leaves consumers with vehicleshaving the new wiper arms with fewer, usually more expensive,alternatives for replacement windshield wipers.

Thus, there is a need for an inexpensive connector that is capable ofsecuring a windshield wiper blade to certain side-saddle wiper arms. Inparticular, it would be desirable to have a connector that can beattached to a wiper blade and that preferably can be used to connectthat wiper blade to certain types of these side-saddle wiper arms. Itwould also be desirable to have a windshield wiper connector that can befabricated or molded as a single piece (or with few pieces) at low-costthat can accommodate these types of side-saddle wiper arms.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order toprovide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Thissummary is not an extensive overview of the invention. Rather thanspecifically identify key or critical elements of the invention or todelineate the scope of the invention, its purpose, inter alia, is topresent some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a preludeto the more detailed description that is presented later.

The invention is generally directed to novel connectors for windshieldwiper blades, including those that accommodate certain types ofside-saddle wiper arms. More particularly, the invention relates, inpart, to a single-piece (or few-piece) windshield wiper connector thatcan accommodate wiper arms having top-locking mechanisms. The inventionis also directed to wiper blades incorporating the connectors describedherein.

In certain embodiments a wiper blade connector may have a mountingportion and a side saddle portion. The mounting portion may have a wiperblade securing element that is capable of securing a wiper blade. Theside-saddle portion may have two side walls, a top wall and a bottomsurface, defining a receiving cavity therebetween. The top wall of theside saddle portion may further have a cantilever with a locking tab.

In certain embodiments, a wiper blade assembly may include a wiperblade, and a connector having a mounted portion and a side-saddleportion. The mounting portion may have a wiper securing element capableof securing the connector to wiper blade. The side-saddle portion mayinclude two side walls, a top wall and a bottom surface, defining areceiving cavity. The top wall may have a cantilever with a locking tab.

In certain embodiments, a wiper blade connector may have a mountingportion having a wiper securing element capable of securing a wiperblade, and a side-saddle portion capable of securing a wiper arm, havinga top wall with a cantilever that has a locking tab.

The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detailcertain illustrative aspects of the invention. These aspects areindicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which theprinciples of the invention may be employed and the present invention isintended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Otheradvantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description of the invention when considered inconjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the annexed drawings set forth certainillustrative aspects of the invention. These aspects are indicative ofbut a few of the various ways in which the principles of the inventionmay be employed and the present invention is intended to include allsuch aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel featuresof the invention will become apparent from the following detaileddescription of the invention when considered in conjunction with thedrawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosed conceptof a connector attached to a wiper blade.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosed conceptof a connector viewed from above.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector depicted in FIG. 2, viewedfrom below.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the connector depicted in FIG. 2, showing aside-saddle, or second, portion of the connector.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the connector depicted in FIG. 2, showing amounting, or first, portion of the connector.

FIG. 6 is a front end view of the connector depicted in FIG. 2, showingan end where the wiper arm enters the connector when it is attached.

FIG. 7 is an back end view of the connector depicted in FIG. 2, showingan end opposite the opening where the wiper arm may enters the connectorwhen it is attached.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the connector depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the connector depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the disclosedconcept of a connector viewed from above.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the connector depicted in FIG. 10,viewed from below.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the connector depicted in FIG. 10, showing aside-saddle, or second, portion of the connector.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the connector depicted in FIG. 10, showing amounting, or first, portion of the connector.

FIG. 14 is a front end view of the connector depicted in FIG. 10,showing an end where the wiper arm enters the connector when it isattached.

FIG. 15 is a back end view of the connector depicted in FIG. 10, showingan end opposite the opening where the wiper arm may enters the connectorwhen it is attached.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the connector depicted in FIG. 10.

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the connector depicted in FIG. 10.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view from above of one type of wiper arm thatcan connect to the embodiments of the disclosed concepts depicted inFIGS. 1-17.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view from above of another type of wiper armthat can connect to the embodiments of the disclosed concepts depictedin FIGS. 1-17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofcertain embodiments of the subject matter set forth herein, will bebetter understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralof said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” are not intended to beinterpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments thatalso incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitlystated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an elementor a plurality of elements having a particular property may includeadditional such elements not having that property.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shownby way of illustration specific embodiments in which the subject matterdisclosed herein may be practiced. These embodiments, which are alsoreferred to herein as “examples,” are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the subject matter disclosedherein. It is to be understood that the embodiments may be combined orthat other embodiments may be utilized, and that structural, logical,and electrical variations may be made without departing from the scopeof the subject matter disclosed herein. The following detaileddescription is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and thescope of the subject matter disclosed herein is defined by the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

In the description that follows, like numerals or reference designatorswill be used to refer to like parts or elements throughout. In thisdocument, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patentdocuments, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term“or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, unless otherwise indicated.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” are not intended to beinterpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments thatalso incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitlystated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an elementor a plurality of elements having a particular property may includeadditional such elements not having that property.

In certain embodiments a wiper blade connector may have a mountingportion and a side saddle portion. The mounting portion may have a wiperblade securing element that is capable of securing a wiper blade. Theside-saddle portion may have two side walls, a top wall and a bottomsurface, defining a receiving cavity therebetween. The top wall of theside saddle portion may further have a cantilever with a locking tab.

In certain embodiments, the wiper securing element may have a rivetclip. In such embodiments, The mounting portion may also have a pair ofmounting side walls, such that the rivet clip is embodied on each of themounting side walls. In other embodiments, the wiper securing elementmay have a rivet capable of engaging a rivet clip on the wiper blade inorder to secure the connector to the wiper blade.

In certain embodiments, the side saddle portion may also have at leastone reinforcing member. In certain embodiments the cantilever may havean elevated tab. In certain embodiments, the bottom surface may have afront bar. In certain embodiments, the bottom surface may have a pair ofbottom rails.

In certain embodiments, a wiper blade assembly may include a wiperblade, and a connector having a mounted portion and a side-saddleportion. The mounting portion may have a wiper securing element capableof securing the connector to wiper blade. The side-saddle portion mayinclude two side walls, a top wall and a bottom surface, defining areceiving cavity. The top wall may have a cantilever with a locking tab.

In certain such embodiments, the wiper securing element may have a rivetclip. In such embodiments, the mounting portion further may comprise apair of mounting side walls, and wherein the rivet clip is embodied oneach of the mounting side walls. In other such embodiments, the wipersecuring element may have a rivet capable of engaging a rivet clip onthe wiper blade in order to secure the connector to the wiper blade.

In certain embodiments, the side saddle portion further may have atleast one reinforcing member. In certain embodiments the cantilever mayalso have an elevated tab. In certain such embodiments, the top wall mayhave a depression in the vicinity of the elevated tab. In certainembodiments the bottom surface may have a front bar. In certainembodiments, the bottom surface comprises a pair of bottom rails.

In certain embodiments, a wiper blade connector may have a mountingportion having a wiper securing element capable of securing a wiperblade, and a side-saddle portion capable of securing a wiper arm, havinga top wall with a cantilever that has a locking tab.

In certain embodiments the wiper securing element comprises a rivetclip. In certain such embodiments, the mounting portion furthercomprises a pair of mounting side walls, and wherein the rivet clip isembodied on each of the mounting side walls.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the connector 10attached to a wiper blade having a mounting base 1 with a rivet 2, acover 3 for the base of the mounting base 1, and a wiper strip 4. Theconnector 10 as shown is attached to the rivet 2 of mounting base 1 ofthe wiper blade. A wiper arm 5 is shown connected to the connector 10.Examples of the types of wiper arms that can be engaged are shown inFIGS. 18 and 19.

FIGS. 2-9 provide various views of an embodiment of a connector 10 ofthe present invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of connector10 from above and below, respectively. FIG. 2 shows certain structuresthat may be present in the side-saddle, or second, portion 30 of theconnector 10. FIG. 3 shows certain structures present in the mounting,or first, portion 20 of the connector 10, as well some features on thebottom of the side saddle portion 30.

The side-saddle, or second, portion 30 of the connector 10 is configuredto receive a wiper arm 5. Generally speaking, the side-saddle portion 30includes a receiving cavity 45, in which a wiper arm 5 can be secured.The receiving cavity may be defined by two spaced-apart side walls 31,32, a top wall 33, and a bottom surface which may include a front bar 36and bottom rails 38. The bottom surface may be contiguous or, as shownin FIGS. 2-9, may be made up from separate elements. The side-saddleportion 30 may also have an end wall 37. The end wall 37, if present,may serve to provide additional structural support for the side-saddleside walls 31, 32.

In certain embodiments, such as the example embodiment in FIGS. 2-9, thewiper arm may be secured to the connector by a locking projection 35located on a cantilever beam 34. When the wiper arm is secured to theconnector the locking projection 35 may engage a locking recess or hole55 on the wiper arm (shown for instance in FIGS. 18 and 19). The frontof the locking projection 35 may be chamfered to allow the wiper arm topush the locking tab 35 up as the wiper arm 5 is inserted into thereceiving cavity 45. Alternatively, the locking tab 35 may be lifted toallow the wiper arm 5 to enter the receiving cavity, and lowered intothe locking recess or hole 55 once the wiper arm 5 has been inserted.The cantilever 34 may include an elevated tab 34 a to facilitate liftingof the cantilever 34 to disengage the locking projection 35 from thelocking recess or hole 55 in the wiper arm 5. To further facilitatemanipulation of the cantilever 34, the top wall 33 of the side saddleportion 30 may be provided with a depression 44 in the vicinity of theelevated tab 34 a.

As shown in FIG. 3, in certain embodiments the bottom rails 36 of theside saddle portion 30, may be provided with stops 39. The stops may bepositioned to accommodate a particular length of wiper arm 5, and mayact to limit the distance that the wiper arm 5 can enter the receivingcavity 45 by engaging bottom claws 59 on the wiper arm 5. In otherembodiments the end wall 37 may act as a stop, engaging the front end 57of the wiper arm 5 (illustrated for instance in FIGS. 18 and 19), andsetting the limit to which the wiper arm 5, may enter the receivingcavity 45 of the connector 10.

Generally speaking, the connector 10 may have various shapes and sizesdepending upon the application in question. In certain embodiments, theconnector is configured to accommodate the shape of the wiper blade,including the shape of the wiper blade's mounting base 1, cover 2, orboth. In certain embodiments, the connector 10 may have a contoured edge42.

As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting, or second, portion 20 of the connector10 is configured to connect the connector to a wiper blade, and has awiper securing element which secures the connector to a wiper blade. Asshown in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3, the mounting portion 20 mayhave spaced apart mounting side walls 21, 22, and the wiper securingelement may be a rivet clip 23 in each of the mounting side walls 21,22. In this embodiment, connection is made to a wiper blade via therivet 2 of a wiper blade being positioned in the rivet passages 24 ofthe mounting side walls 21, 22 of the mounting portion 20 of theconnector 10. The connector 10 may be pushed down onto the wiper suchthat the rivet 2 passes through the rivet passages 24 and into the rivetclip 23.

Other methods for connecting a connector 10 to a wiper blade known inthe art are contemplated within the scope of the present invention,including having pin passages and pin clips which connect to one or morepins in the wiper blade; having one or more detents in the connector 10which engage shoulders in apertures or recesses in the wiper blade;having recesses in the peripheral wall of the connector that can acceptand secure a rivet or pin; having deflectable or rigid pins or detentsin the connector 10, which engage corresponding recesses, apertures orshoulders in the wiper blade; and other form-fitting or friction fittingconnections and the like.

The mounting portion 20 of the connector 10 may also have reinforcingwalls 25 extending between the mounting side walls 21, 22 for purposesof structural rigidity, reinforcement, or other purposes. Diagonalreinforcing walls may be added for further structural support andrigidity. Reinforcing ribs 43, or other features may also be used toreinforce the mounting side walls 21, 22.

The connector 10 may optionally feature one or more interim walls 40between the mounting portion 20 and the side-saddle portion 30. Theinterim walls may feature reinforcing ribs 43 that can be used toprovide structural support to the inner side-saddle side wall 32.Additionally, the interim wall 40 may be joined to the inner mountingside wall 22 to provide additional structural support. Other reinforcingfeatures may be used to further provide structural support.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of an example embodiment of connector 10,showing side-saddle side walls 31, 32, the front bar 36, and end wall37, The elevated tab 34 a is also shown.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the exemplary embodiment of connector 10showing the outer mounting wall 21, having a rivet clip 23 and a rivetpassage 24. Through the rivet clip 23, the interim wall 40 can be seen,together with the reinforcing ribs 43. The contour edges 42 which may beadapted to the shape of the wiper blade are also shown.

FIG. 6 shows a front end view of the exemplary embodiment of connector10, on the side where the wiper arm 5 may enter the connector. The endwall 37 and side walls 31, 32, top wall 33, front bar 36, elevated tab34 a, locking tab 35 and stops 39 of the side-saddle portion 30 areshown. The contoured edge 42 and interim wall 40, are also shown. Themounting portion 20, with its mounting sidewalls 21, 22 and reinforcingwall 25 are also shown.

FIG. 7 shows the back end view of the exemplary embodiment of connector10 opposite the entrance to the receiving cavity 45 of connector 10. Thefeatures shown are similar to those depicted in FIG. 6, except that FIG.7 shows that the end wall 37, which obscures the front and internalfeatures of the side saddle portion 30.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of the exemplary embodiment of connector 10,showing side saddle portion 30 and its cantilever 34, elevated tab 34 a,depression 44, side-saddle side walls 31, 32, top wall 33, end wall 37,and front bar 36. Also shown are the top surface 41 over the mountingportion 20, and the outer mounting wall 21.

FIG. 9 shows a bottom view of the exemplary embodiment of connector 10,which shows the side-saddle side walls 31, 32, top wall 33 (fromunderneath), end walls 37, front bar 36 and bottom rails 38 of theside-saddle portion 30. Also shown are mounting side walls 21, 22,reinforcing walls 25, rivet clips 23, and rivet passages 24 of mountingportion 20. This embodiment features an interim wall 40 havingreinforcing ribs 43, that is combined with the inner side saddle wall32.

FIGS. 10-17 show additional embodiment of a connector 10 contemplatedwithin this disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 10, 16 and 17, the cantilever 34 may be oriented fromfront to back, extending from an area in the vicinity of the front endof the top wall 33 towards the end wall 37 of the connector 10. Acantilever so oriented may still have an elevated tab 34 a and a lockingtab 35, which may be chamfered to facilitate the insertion of a wipearm. This may allow for a shorter and sturdier cantilever 34 that has amore natural motion as the wiper arm enters the cavity 45.

FIGS. 10, 12, 14, 15 and 16 also depict a horizontal reinforcing member46 added to the front end of the top wall 33 in order to give itincreased structural support. Other types of reinforcing members 46 maybe added to the walls of the connector in horizontal, vertical ortransverse orientations to give the connector additional structuralsupport. Reinforcing members 46 may be added to the outer surfaces (21,31, 33, 41) or to the interior surfaces (21, 22, 31, 32, 33, 36, 40) ofthe connector 10 as desired.

As shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 17, the bottom surface may include a frontbar 36 and the bottom rails 38 that are part of an integrated,continuous surface. This increases the strength and structural stabilityof the bottom surface. Such a bottom surface may still have stops 39. Inother embodiments, the bottom surface may form a bottom wall, with orwithout holes or recesses therein. Likewise in other embodiments, thebottom surface may have bottom rails that are joined together bybridging members (not shown). Similarly, as depicted in FIGS. 1-17 thetop surface 33 of the side-saddle portion 30 may be provided additionalholes or recesses. The side walls 21, 22, 31, 32, interim wall 40 or topsurface 41 of the mounting portion 20 may also optionally be providedwith holes or recesses as desired.

As discussed above FIGS. 18 and 19 depict examples of the types of armsthat the disclosed connectors can secure. Persons of skill in the artwill recognize that other types of arms can also be secured by theseconnectors.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that while the invention willmost likely be used in conjunction with automobiles, it is suitable foruse with any vehicle. For example, in addition to automobiles, trucks,buses, locomotives, aircrafts, or any other vehicle type that uses awindshield wiper can benefit from the present invention.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-describedembodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination witheach other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the subject matterdisclosed herein without departing from its scope. The description aboveof the exemplary embodiments is not intended to be limiting. Whilespecific embodiments have been discussed herein to explain theinvention, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the artthat the descriptions herein are intended as illustrative, and not aslimiting, and that variations in the embodiments can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

For example, the type of materials, the number, configuration orposition of the various features can vary so long as they are capable ofperforming their intended function as described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wiper blade adapter having opposed first andsecond elongate ends, a top end and a bottom end spaced from and opposedto the top end, the adapter comprising: a side saddle portion includingan elongate outer side saddle wall, an elongate inner side saddle wallopposed to the outer side saddle wall, a top wall provided at the topend of the of the adapter between the outer side saddle wall and theinner side saddle wall, the inner and outer side walls together with thetop wall thereby defining a receiving cavity; and a mounting portionincluding, an elongate outer mounting wall, an elongate inner mountingwall opposed to the outer mounting wall, the inner and outer mountingwalls together defining an elongate mounting passage, a pair of bottomrails, each bottom rail provided within the receiving cavity on a sidesaddle wall and positioned proximate to the bottom end, a front barprovided between inner and outer side saddle walls and positioned at thebottom end of the side saddle portion proximate the first end of theadapter, an end wall provided between the inner and outer side saddlewalls and positioned proximate the second end of the adapter, and adepression provided on the top wall proximate to the elevated tab;wherein the receiving cavity is configured to secure the adapter with awiper arm, and wherein the mounting passage is configured to secure theadapter with a wiper blade.
 2. The wiper blade adapter of claim 1further comprising: a top surface provided at the top end of the adapterand extending from the outer mounting wall and terminating at the innerside saddle wall, wherein the elongate inner mounting wall projects fromthe top surface, and wherein the mounting passage is further defined bythe top surface, the outer mounting wall, and the inner mounting wall;an interim gap between the inner side saddle wall and the inner mountingwall; and an interim wall projecting from the top surface into theinterim gap.
 3. The wiper blade adapter of claim 1 further comprising: acantilever having a distal portion and a proximate portion, the distalportion substantially coplanar with the top wall and the distal portionincluding an elevated tab; and a depression provided on the top wallproximate to the elevated tab.
 4. The wiper blade adapter of claim 1wherein the receiving cavity includes a wiper blade securing elementcomprising a rivet.
 5. A wiper blade assembly comprising: a wiper blade;and a wiper blade adapter for securing the wiper blade with a wiper arm,the wiper blade adapter having opposed first and second elongate ends, atop end and a bottom end from and opposed to the top end, the adaptercomprising: a side saddle portion including an elongate outer sidesaddle wall, an elongate inner side saddle wall opposed to the outerside saddle wall, a top wall provided at the top end of the of theadapter between the outer side saddle wall and the inner side saddlewall, the inner and outer side walls together with the top wall therebydefining a receiving cavity; and a mounting portion including, anelongate outer mounting wall, an elongate inner mounting wall opposed tothe outer mounting wall, the inner and outer mounting walls togetherdefining an elongate mounting passage, a pair of bottom rails, eachbottom rail provided within the receiving cavity on a side saddle walland positioned proximate to the bottom end, a front bar provided betweeninner and outer side saddle walls and positioned at the bottom end ofthe side saddle portion proximate the first end of the adapter, an endwall provided between the inner and outer side saddle walls andpositioned proximate the second end of the adapter, and a depressionprovided on the top wall proximate to the elevated tab; wherein thereceiving cavity is configured to secure the adapter with the wiper arm,and wherein the mounting passage is configured to secure the adapterwith the wiper blade.
 6. The wiper blade assembly of claim 5, the wiperblade adapter further comprising: a top surface provided at the top endof the adapter and extending from the outer mounting wall andterminating at the inner side saddle wall, wherein the elongate innermounting wall projects from the top surface, and wherein the mountingpassage is further defined by the top surface, the outer mounting wall,and the inner mounting wall; an interim gap between the inner sidesaddle wall and the inner mounting wall; and an interim wall projectingfrom the top surface into the interim gap.
 7. The wiper blade assemblyof claim 5, the wiper blade adapter further comprising: a cantileverhaving a distal portion and a proximate portion, the distal portionsubstantially coplanar with the top wall and the distal portionincluding an elevated tab; and a depression provided on the top wallproximate to the elevated tab.
 8. The wiper blade assembly of claim 5,wherein the receiving cavity of the wiper blade adapter includes a wiperblade securing element comprising a rivet capable of securing a rivetclip on the wiper blade.